Dorchester man indicted on several area breakins

A Dorchester man suspected in as many as 200 burglaries throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including Natick, Framingham, Dedham, Needham and Wellesley, has been indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury. Craig Cromartie, 44, is charged with five counts of unarmed burglary, four counts of attempted unarmed burglary, breaking...

A Dorchester man suspected in as many as 200 burglaries throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including Natick, Framingham, Dedham, Needham and Wellesley, has been indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury.

Craig Cromartie, 44, is charged with five counts of unarmed burglary, four counts of attempted unarmed burglary, breaking and entering into a building during the night, possession of tools often used in burglaries, five counts of larceny, five counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of wanton destruction of property, being a common and notorious thief, being a common and notorious receiver and being a habitual offender.

Cromartie was arrested in Framingham at the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road in June after a multi-county investigation.

Police found stolen items from Framingham, Natick, Waltham, Cambridge and Newton in his hotel room. Police said Cromartie committed the hundreds of burglaries between December 2011 and June 2012, and stole items such as jewelry, clothing, handbags, laptop computers and other items.

Authorities said he may have stolen more than $1 million worth of goods.

Cromartie is facing similar charges in both Norfolk and Suffolk counties.

"I applaud the dedicated work of the multiple law enforcement agencies that have collaborated to ensure that this defendant is held accountable for his actions," said Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

A Middlesex Superior Court arraignment date has not been set.

Cromartie is currently being held without bail in the Norfolk County jail.

(Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter at @Norman_MillerMW.)